Chapter 86: The Behind-the-Scenes Are More Entertaining Than the Main Show

After uploading the video, Bai Renzong and Wang Bei began to discuss some of the studio’s details.

They decided to temporarily pause all business collaborations during this period. The recent surge in popularity was overwhelming, so they needed some time to let things settle. Bai Renzong’s follower count was increasing by seventy or eighty thousand a day. They agreed to wait until the rate of growth slowed before considering business deals; that way, they could command a higher price.

After tending to some miscellaneous tasks, several hours had passed since the video went live. Bai Renzong decided to sit down with Wang Bei and check the feedback on this latest release.

The video was titled, “This Niche Cthulhu-Style Game Broke My Defenses.”

Thanks to the daily check-in and the “S-rank” trend, the video’s views had already reached one million. For Bai Renzong these days, such numbers were fairly standard.

Yet among the statistics, he noticed that the ratio of favorites and likes was much higher than usual. There were already more than three hundred comments in just a few hours.

Bai Renzong happily glanced at the top-liked comments, but then his expression darkened.

“At first, I was really spooked by that creepy atmosphere, but then the behind-the-scenes footage made me burst out laughing. And then I remembered I don’t even have a girlfriend, so I started crying again...”
“The way the two of you acted when you were scared was so cute! Jiayi kept hiding behind Old Bai!”
“This behind-the-scenes is even better than the main video.”

But the most liked comment was, “I really want to see Old Bai and Jiayi livestream playing this game!” followed by a chain of “Seconded.”

Wang Bei nudged Bai Renzong with her elbow, grinning, “So? My behind-the-scenes edits are a hit, aren’t they?”

“Next time I’ll feature you in the outtakes and see if you’re still so pleased with yourself,” Bai Renzong replied, frowning.

Just then, Wang Bei glanced at the clock, raised her brows, and announced with a smile, “Old Bai, I’m off to pick up a package!”

Yet once she left, she vanished without a trace, as if she’d become a missing person. It wasn’t until Han Jiayi returned home that Bai Renzong learned why Wang Bei hadn’t come back.

“Xiao Bei—!” Han Jiayi stormed in and roared in frustration.

“She knew you’d be mad, so she headed straight home,” Bai Renzong chuckled.

“Why did you upload the video?! Didn’t you notice the behind-the-scenes bits at the end?” Han Jiayi demanded.

“I thought the video would turn out well,” Bai Renzong replied, averting his gaze. “And I was right...”

“But now everyone’s laughing at us!” Han Jiayi pouted, her beautiful brows furrowed in grievance.

“That’s just teasing. They’d be scared too if they played,” Bai Renzong said seriously. “Besides, that’s not the main point. The important thing is, everyone’s eager for us to livestream together. That means when we start, loads of fans will show up to support us.”

Han Jiayi pursed her lips and blinked, “Are you... actually planning to livestream?”

“I am. After all, it doesn’t conflict with making videos. In fact, they complement each other,” Bai Renzong nodded. “Just think, when we’re gaming or looking for material, we can do it during livestreams. Isn’t that killing two birds with one stone? Saves time, and we earn double.”

“Hmm...” Han Jiayi bit her lip, pondering. The restaurant still needed to strive for its second star, there were videos to make, and now livestreaming too—she worried she might not be able to handle it all.

After all, a streamer has to be on air at least four hours a day...

“Of course, that’s for October,” Bai Renzong seemed to read her thoughts. “I reached my target for August. September’s goal is to boost your restaurant’s reputation and go for the second star. Don’t worry.”

“Okay!” Han Jiayi replied cheerfully, flexing her slender arms. “I’ll do my best!”

After dinner, Bai Renzong had nothing else pressing to do that day.

He’d been posting videos too frequently lately, so he decided to let himself rest for a few days and use the time to consider the content for September.

What surprised him, though, was that Han Jiayi didn’t come looking for him to play games that night.

Just as he was thinking of checking in on her, her adorable little head appeared outside his door.

“Want to watch a horror movie?” There was a hopeful gleam in Han Jiayi’s eyes.

“You...” Bai Renzong raised an eyebrow. He remembered she only watched horror films when she was under a lot of stress.

He asked seriously, “Are you feeling really stressed?”

Han Jiayi flinched, her gaze darting everywhere. “Why do you ask...”

“Don’t you only watch horror movies when you’re stressed?” Bai Renzong pressed.

He remembers things like this so clearly... Han Jiayi muttered inwardly.

“Is it because of what I said earlier today?” Bai Renzong asked patiently.

“Mm... yes.” Han Jiayi nodded softly. “I just feel like I’m about to be outpaced by Yang Hua, and if I don’t try harder, I’ll fall behind. Then you said you’d come eat at my place more often, and I... I just feel a lot of pressure.”

“Why?” Bai Renzong was genuinely puzzled.

“Because if I don’t do well, you’ll criticize me!” Han Jiayi glared at him indignantly.

“I’m trying to help you improve, to win that second star for your restaurant,” Bai Renzong frowned. “We’ve known each other for so long, and we’re partners in the studio—there’s no need to feel pressured, right? If you’re unhappy, you can just snap back at me. I won’t mind.”

“But... but I’m terrible at comebacks, I can never out-argue you...” Han Jiayi complained, fiddling with her fingers.

“Pfft...” Seeing her like this, Bai Renzong couldn’t help but laugh, teasing, “How about this: no matter what, if you act cute, I’ll drop whatever I’m about to say.”

Han Jiayi froze, staring blankly, then blushed furiously and snapped, “Shameless! I’d let you talk me to death before I act cute for you!”

With that, she stomped back downstairs to her own room.

Still, after this conversation, Han Jiayi suddenly felt much lighter.

“That’s right, Bai the Critic is just a person. We’re all the same. Why am I so afraid of him?” she comforted herself, clutching her teddy bear.

She pondered for a while, then realized that Bai Renzong’s manner reminded her of her old instructors at the Cordon Bleu Academy, which was why she always felt so pressured around him.

“Starting tomorrow, I’ll focus on developing my ultimate set menu,” she encouraged herself. “I’ll use Yun Ni for desserts, and build the whole menu around it! That’s the plan!”

Hugging her teddy bear, she mulled it over, and the idea gradually took shape in her mind.

After Han Jiayi left, Bai Renzong started browsing the web for games and movies as material for his next video.

But then, he heard a clatter downstairs. Curious, he went down and found Han Jiayi busy in the kitchen, occupied with something.

He thought for a moment and decided not to disturb her. The girl must have been struck by inspiration.

He didn’t know what Han Jiayi was planning, but he could see her spirits had lifted, and that was enough.

Besides, Han Jiayi was the type of chef who thrived on inspiration—whenever it struck, she could create something outstanding.

With this thought, Bai Renzong couldn’t help but look forward to it: It seemed he would soon get to taste some excellent dishes.

(Thanks to Ye Han Feng Leng Yu for the reward, and to Yang Nuan, Qingshan Lan Yue Zui, Si Zhi Yi, Shi no Hui Yi for their monthly votes, and to reader 1432920481336508416 for their two monthly votes.)